Former TV actress Swati Kapoor of Kaali: Ek Agnipariksha and Hamari Saas Leela fame will be soon seen playing one of the protagonists in Punjabi film Mr and Mrs 420, directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary. All of 23, the young actress shows no sign of being lost in the woods and is clear headed about what she wants from life.
"I went to Mumbai to study International Hospitality; television was just a means to earn some extra cash, by no means was I going to make it my career. But then, I saw myself on screen and absolutely loved the feeling. So, here I am!" says the Kanpur-born-and-bred girl.
With an untitled Bollywood film in the works, to be directed by debutant director Sunil Subramanium (assistant to Anurag Basu), Swati says there is a marked difference in the way the Punjabi and Hindi film industries work in terms of their approach to filmmaking. "People in Pollywood are a lot more relaxed, not in as much of a rush as the folks back home in Mumbai," says she.
While there are no Punjabi genes in her, picking the language up for Swati was not so hard, but getting the accent right was a little trickier than anticipated. On being asked if the transition from TV to films is a natural progression for most, she says, "I guess it is. I mean, once I was already acting in serials, I just thought to myself why not try my hand at films if I am getting good offers."
Her reel life character in Mr and Mrs 420 is that of a 'sweet, innocent and naïve girl'. "But I'm nothing like that in real life; I'm sweet but not naïve; my years in the TV industry have taught me better," she clarifies. And it always helps to have a supportive family. "My mom told me to finish my education first, but once you are bit by the TV bug and realise how easy it is to make your living, why would you want to go back to studying?" laughs Swati.
While there are no Punjabi genes in her, picking the language up for Swati was not so hard, but getting the accent right was a little trickier than anticipated. On being asked if the transition from TV to films is a natural progression for most, she says, "I guess it is. I mean, once I was already acting in serials, I just thought to myself why not try my hand at films if I am getting good offers."
Her reel life character in Mr and Mrs 420 is that of a 'sweet, innocent and naïve girl'. "But I'm nothing like that in real life; I'm sweet but not naïve; my years in the TV industry have taught me better," she clarifies. And it always helps to have a supportive family. "My mom told me to finish my education first, but once you are bit by the TV bug and realise how easy it is to make your living, why would you want to go back to studying?" laughs Swati.